PDA: What it is and What it isn't

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is an increasingly discussed behavioral profile, yet it is often misunderstood, inconsistently defined, and misapplied in clinical practice. This continuing education session provides behavior analysts with a clear, evidence-informed overview of PDA, including its historical context, current conceptualizations, and common areas of confusion. Participants will learn to distinguish PDA-related behavioral presentations from other forms of escape-maintained behavior, consider ethical responsibilities to clients when addressing emerging profiles, and identify appropriate assessment considerations. The session also emphasizes maintaining professional competence, advocating for appropriate services, and locating reliable professional and stakeholder resources to support clients and families.